Sliding Door Plane Adjustment for Flush Surface Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sliding doors that are not aligned on the same plane allow dust, moisture, and security issues due to gaps, and existing solutions are complex, prone to breakage, and aesthetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
A sliding door system with inner and outer guide rails that can be adjusted to the same plane using a displacement drive, allowing the doors to create a flush surface, secured by a hanging hardware system that includes a bridge element and activation switch for manual, electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sliding doors are set on different planes to allow free sliding, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates (gap between doors)
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the plane position of the outer door during operation. The outer door can be positioned on a first plane during sliding operation for ease of use, and automatically moves to a second plane (flush with inner door) when closed. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the door to optimize its position for different operational states.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple components are used to move doors into the same plane, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the alignment function with the existing door sliding mechanism. The outer door serves dual purposes: as the sliding door itself and as the actuating element for alignment. When the outer door slides to its closed position, it naturally engages the alignment mechanism, merging two functions into one integrated system rather than adding separate alignment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer door performs the alignment action automatically through its own movement. As the user slides the outer door to close it, the door's motion itself triggers the alignment mechanism, causing the outer door to move to the flush position. The system uses the door's own operational movement to achieve alignment, eliminating the need for separate actuating components.
3Manufacturing precision
If springs are used to move the second door into the same plane, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates (user must know exact pressure point)
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the outer door's own sliding motion to trigger and power the alignment mechanism. As the user naturally slides the outer door to close it, the door's movement engages the alignment mechanism and provides the force needed to move the outer door to the flush position. No special knowledge or technique is required - the normal door closing action automatically performs the alignment function.
Data Source
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AI summary
Presented herein is a novel sliding door system that that enables adjustment of at least two sliding doors relative to each other such that surfaces of the sliding doors create a substantially flush surface a support onto which the sliding door mechanism is mounted. The system includes at least one inner and outer sliding door slidably coupled to corresponding guide rails. The guide rail that is coupled to the outer sliding door is selectably moveable by a sliding door mechanism between a first and a second position. In the first position, a user can slide outer and inner sliding doors along said guide rails, whereas in the second position, a surface of the outer sliding door is substantially flush with a surface of said inner sliding door.